Party aiming to save Post Office

PUBLISHED: 11:15 06 March 2008 | UPDATED: 13:01 06 May 2010

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to prevent the closure of any more local post offices. Although consultation on the closure of more post offices in Herts is not due until after the local elections in May, local LibDems fear the worst. Prospective Parliamenta

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to prevent the closure of any more local post offices.

Although consultation on the closure of more post offices in Herts is not due until after the local elections in May, local LibDems fear the worst.

Prospective Parliamentary candidates Sandy Walkington (St Albans) and Nigel Quinton (Hitchin and Harpenden) have launched a district-wide petition against any more closures.

Petition forms will be delivered to every home in the St Albans district and they will be out in the street collecting signatures.

Mr Walkington said: "All we know is that nationwide 2,500 branches are slated for closure on top of the 4,000 branches already closed by this Government."

He pointed out that 10 local post offices had already been closed since 1977, including Beaconsfield and Hatfield Roads, High Oaks and Luton Road in Harpenden and the question was which would be next for the chop.

Mr Quinton added: "There are many people who do not have access to the internet and do not have transport - they need access to post offices in their community with all the advantages they bring of being local centres of activity. Where post offices close, other neighbouring shops lose business and come under further pressure."

He warned that there was never a, "final round of closures" but the network continued to be salami-sliced up.